Baby Dedication for _Ferdinand, Max Emiliano Baillargeon, Parents: __Ferdinand and Karla___
In Luke 2:22 we read How Mary and Joseph brought Jesus to the Temple and presented him to God in accordance to the Law of God given by Moses
22 And when the days of her purification according to the law of Moses were accomplished, they brought him to Jerusalem, to present him to the Lord;
23 (As it is written in the law of the Lord, Every male that openeth the womb shall be called holy to the Lord;)
24 And to offer a sacrifice according to that which is said in the law of the Lord, A pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons.
**God word tells us he knows us before we are even conceived***
“Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations.”
**Gods work tells us Children are a Blessing and a Heritage from the Lord.***
Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one's youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.
**God’s word tells us Jesus cares about Children.***
And they were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them.
**God’s word gives us a promise of peace with our Children***
Isaiah 54:13 13 All your children shall be taught by the Lord,
And great shall be the peace of your children.
Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it
***Turn with me in your bibles to the book of Luke chapter 23. This is resurrection Sunday Morning. We celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!
He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Following service today we are all going to Gym where we will Baptize new believers and people returning to Christ. Among these are several children. My heart is so full of Joy to be a part of a child making their public declaration of faith in Jesus Christ and following Christ commandment to be baptized. If you are here today and you have never been baptized or you would like to be bapized again and make a fresh commitment to Jesus Christ publicly then we will baptize you today.
Luke 23
1 And the whole multitude of them arose, and led him unto Pilate.
2 And they began to accuse him, saying, We found this fellow perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar, saying that he himself is Christ a King.
3 And Pilate asked him, saying, Art thou the King of the Jews? And he answered him and said, Thou sayest it.
4 Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people, I find no fault in this man.
5 And they were the more fierce, saying, He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Jewry, beginning from Galilee to this place.
6 When Pilate heard of Galilee, he asked whether the man were a Galilaean.
7 And as soon as he knew that he belonged unto Herod's jurisdiction, he sent him to Herod, who himself also was at Jerusalem at that time.
8 And when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceeding glad: for he was desirous to see him of a long season, because he had heard many things of him; and he hoped to have seen some miracle done by him.
9 Then he questioned with him in many words; but he answered him nothing.
10 And the chief priests and scribes stood and vehemently accused him.
11 And Herod with his men of war set him at nought, and mocked him, and arrayed him in a gorgeous robe, and sent him again to Pilate.
12 And the same day Pilate and Herod were made friends together: for before they were at enmity between themselves.
***Side note here: Look at Jesus bringing people together who had been enemies**
13 And Pilate, when he had called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people,
14 Said unto them, Ye have brought this man unto me, as one that perverteth the people: and, behold, I, having examined him before you, have found no fault in this man touching those things whereof ye accuse him:
15 No, nor yet Herod: for I sent you to him; and, lo, nothing worthy of death is done unto him.
16 I will therefore chastise him, and release him.
17 (For of necessity he must release one unto them at the feast.)
18 And they cried out all at once, saying, Away with this man, and release unto us Barabbas:
19 (Who for a certain sedition made in the city, and for murder, was cast into prison.)
20 Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake again to them.
21 But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him.
22 And he said unto them the third time, Why, what evil hath he done? I have found no cause of death in him: I will therefore chastise him, and let him go.
23 And they were instant with loud voices, requiring that he might be crucified. And the voices of them and of the chief priests prevailed.
24 And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they required.
***This morning I asked myself this question, Why would Pilate break the rule of law that said Jesus was not worthy of death? This was not just his assessment but also that of King Herod…..
Let’s go over to Gospel of John
John 19:7-16
7 The Jews answered him, We have a law, and by our law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God.
8 When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he was the more afraid;
9 And went again into the judgment hall, and saith unto Jesus, Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer.
10 Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee?
11 Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.
12 And from thenceforth Pilate sought to release him: but the Jews cried out, saying, If thou let this man go, thou art not Caesar's friend: whosoever maketh himself a king speaketh against Caesar.
13 When Pilate therefore heard that saying, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat in a place that is called the Pavement, but in the Hebrew, Gabbatha.
14 And it was the preparation of the passover, and about the sixth hour: and he saith unto the Jews, Behold your King!
15 But they cried out, Away with him, away with him, crucify him. Pilate saith unto them, Shall I crucify your King? The chief priests answered, We have no king but Caesar.
16 Then delivered he him therefore unto them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him away.
***The first point of the Message today: God places people in positions of power and uses them to advance his will in the earth.
Romans 13:1-2
13 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
**The word of God is full of examples of God using leaders who were evil people to advance his plans and purposes in the earth. Pilate and Herod were both those very kinds of rulers.
I grew up in a time when we would pray for God to put Christan leaders in positions of power in world governments. We recognize the verse from:
Proverbs 29:2
2 When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice: but when the wicked beareth rule, the people mourn.
But in my lifetime I have seen power corrupt people. I have also seen apathy and compromise come into the church where the Body of Christ does not look that different from a social club or a great show at the local theatre.
Matthew 16:2424 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
We live in a day and time when there are a lot of things happening that we do not understand. We have leaders in office that do things one day that we agree with and another day that we do not agree with. We have modern self-proclaimed “prophets of God” running around making predictions about political things and supporting actions of leaders without recognizing God does not take back his gifts and callings on someone’s life even if they are not serving him…….
Romans 11:29
29 For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance.
Pontius Pilate crucified Jesus primarily to maintain political order and prevent a riot, prioritizing stability over legal justice. While Roman law valued justice, provincial governors often prioritized pragmatic stability, bowing to pressures from local elites and crowds to prevent uprisings in tense regions like Judea during Passover.
While some narratives paint Pilate as hesitant, others emphasize that as a Roman official, his duty was to eliminate perceived threats to peace, regardless of the legality of the accusation…..
**Back to Luke 23:25
25 And he released unto them him that for sedition and murder was cast into prison, whom they had desired; but he delivered Jesus to their will.
26 And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus.
Simon of Cyrene was a North African Jew from Cyrenaica (modern-day Libya) who was compelled by Roman soldiers to carry the cross for Jesus of Nazareth on the way to his crucifixion, according to the Gospels (Matthew 27:32, Mark 15:21, Luke 23:26). He is portrayed as a passerby coming in from the country during Passover.
- Family: The Gospel of Mark mentions that Simon was the father of Rufus and Alexander, implying his children were likely known to the early Christian community for whom Mark was writing.
***The 2nd point of the Message: Always be ready to carry something for Jesus.
I want you to put yourself in the shoes Simon on this day. He is coming into Jerusalem from Cyrene, Ancient Cyrene (modern-day Shahhat, Libya) is roughly 780–800 miles (approx. 1,250–1,300 km) from Jerusalem, with the journey by land covering a significant portion of the North African and Levant coast. In the first century, this journey would have likely taken Simon four to five weeks to complete on foot.
So he comes all this way for the Fest of Passover and probably to visit family and then is forced to be part of a crucifixion parade and is carrying the cross of death for someone he probably does not even know but what a blessing. Here are just a few things that follow in the future. These are likely a result of Simon’s testimony returning.
- Pentecost: Cyrenians were among those who heard Peter's first sermon and were converted.
- Missionaries to Gentiles: Acts 11:20 records that men from Cyrene were the first to preach to non-Jews (Greeks) in Antioch, a pivotal moment that shifted Christianity from a local Jewish sect to a global faith.
- Early Leaders: Lucius of Cyrene is listed as a prominent prophet and teacher in the church at Antioch alongside Barnabas and Saul (Paul)
- We may never know for sure if all of this came as a result of Simon’s availability that day but we do know that God honored Simon by name in the bible and the City he was from was poured out the Holy Spirit.
27 And there followed him a great company of people, and of women, which also bewailed and lamented him.
28 But Jesus turning unto them said, Daughters of Jerusalem, weep not for me, but weep for yourselves, and for your children.
29 For, behold, the days are coming, in the which they shall say, Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that never bare, and the paps which never gave suck.
30 Then shall they begin to say to the mountains, Fall on us; and to the hills, Cover us.
31 For if they do these things in a green tree, what shall be done in the dry?
In 70 AD, Roman forces led by Titus besieged and destroyed Jerusalem, including the Second Temple, marking a pivotal moment in the First Jewish-Roman War. This catastrophe, occurring after a four-month siege, resulted in massive casualties, the end of the Jewish state's revolt, and the exile of many Jews, fundamentally changing Judaism and early Christianity.
32 And there were also two other, malefactors, led with him to be put to death.
33 And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left.
34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
35 And the people stood beholding. And the rulers also with them derided him, saying, He saved others; let him save himself, if he be Christ, the chosen of God.
36 And the soldiers also mocked him, coming to him, and offering him vinegar,
37 And saying, If thou be the king of the Jews, save thyself.
38 And a superscription also was written over him in letters of Greek, and Latin, and Hebrew, This Is The King Of The Jews.
39 And one of the malefactors which were hanged railed on him, saying, If thou be Christ, save thyself and us.
40 But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost not thou fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation?
41 And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss.
42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
***The first point of the Message today: God places people in positions of power and uses them to advance his will in the earth.
***The 2nd point of the Message: Always be ready to carry something for Jesus.
***The 3rd point of the Message: Always be ready to speak up for Jesus and he will speak up for you.
Matthew 10:28-33
28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.
29 Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.
30 But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
31 Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
Luke 23- Look at what Jesus said to the thief on the cross:
43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with me in paradise.
44 And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour.
45 And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst.
46 And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.
47 Now when the centurion saw what was done, he glorified God, saying, Certainly this was a righteous man.
48 And all the people that came together to that sight, beholding the things which were done, smote their breasts, and returned.
49 And all his acquaintance, and the women that followed him from Galilee, stood afar off, beholding these things.
Point #4: In every church there are people who watch and there are people who do, which one are you?
We see a lot of watchers but we do not see a lot of doers.
James 1:22-25
King James Version
22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
24 For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.
25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
**Back to Luke 23 and we see the doer:
50 And, behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counsellor; and he was a good man, and a just:
51 (The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) he was of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews: who also himself waited for the kingdom of God.
52 This man went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus.
53 And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid.
54 And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on.
55 And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid.
56 And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.
***In Closing I want to turn to Matthew 28 and read about the most glorious day. The day we celebrate here today.
Matthew 28
1 In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre.
2 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it.
3 His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow:
4 And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men.
5 And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.
6 He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.
7 And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.
8 And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word.
9 And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him.
10 Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me.
11 Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done.
12 And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,
13 Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.
14 And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you.
15 So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day.
16 Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them.
17 And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted.
18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
***The first point of the Message today: God places people in positions of power and uses them to advance his will in the earth.
***The 2nd point of the Message: Always be ready to carry something for Jesus.
***The 3rd point of the Message: Always be ready to speak up for Jesus and he will speak up for you.
Point #4: In every church there are people who watch and there are people who do, which one are you?
Point #5: Because he lives, we can live also.
Romans 10:9-11
King James Version
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Congratulations on your decision to be Baptized. We are so excited for you to take this step in your walk with Jesus Christ.
Jesus said in Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
- Baptism is about knowing him and Identifying with Him! Philippians 3:10-14
- Baptism is about dying so that we can live. Romans 6:1‐8
- Baptism is an event that begins a lifelong journey of yielding to Christ. Romans 6:13‐20
- Baptism without fruit is just getting wet. Matthew 3:5-8
- Baptism starts with Repentance and Salvation. Matthew 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-20
- Baptism is both physical and Spiritual. Mark 10:32-40
- In Baptism we follow Christ Example of Humility. Philippians 2:5-10
- Baptism is a funeral service for your old sin nature. 1 Peter 3:15-22
- Baptism is the outward testimony of the inward work. 1 Corinthians 9:1-27
Revelation 12:10-12
- Belief in Christ and Confession of Faith are required for Baptism. Romans 10:8-13,Acts 8:34-40, Acts 3:19-21
